by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

CHICAGO - Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith said Monday that he couldn't recall whether he said, "Wakey, wakey," to David Backes after the St. Louis Blues captain was left woozy by a devastating hit from Brent Seabrook.

"There are lots of things that get said over the course of a game," Keith said. "I don't remember everything that gets said."

The comment was picked up by a TV microphone in Saturday's game, and it sounds like Keith, but no one can be positive.

Chicago captain Jonathan Toews was also there talking to Backes, but he said his dialogue was a response to what Backes was saying.

"I didn't say anything, really," Toews said. "I think he was pretty fired up and he asked me to fight. And that was the only reason I started to talk to him. I really don't remember what my words were. I think some of their players thought we were trash-talking after a big hit. But I think we were just trying to clear everything and move on."

Asked about the "wakey, wakey" comment, Toews said: "I don't know. Maybe some things were said in the heat of the moment. Most of that stuff goes unheard from the fans and the media. So it's not easy to not regret some of the things that might have been said. Sometimes that happens."

The NHL suspended Seabrook for three games. The Blackhawks will replace him with Sheldon Brookbank tonight (8:30, ET, CNBC) when the Western Conference series resumes with the Blues leading 2-0.

"He's a steady guy," Quenneville said of Brookbank. "He's one of those defensemen who are simple, direct, hard to play against."